We don't put our name on something until we're confident it delivers. The Battlestar 155 Jerkbait has been in our hands — and in the water — for six months straight. Here's what we've learned, and exactly how to fish it to get the most out of every cast.
Watch It in Action
Before we get into the breakdown, check out this video to see the Battlestar 155 doing its thing:
Why We Spent 6 Months Testing It
We wanted to know how the Battlestar 155 performed across different conditions — early morning low light, midday sun, murky surf, and clear water. We fished it up and down the California coast targeting Striped Bass and Surf Perch. The results? It earned its spot in the bag.
At 155mm and 1-1/8oz, it casts a mile — even into a headwind. The suspending design means it hangs in the strike zone right where fish are holding, and the tight wobble on a steady retrieve mimics a wounded baitfish convincingly enough to fool pressured fish.
How to Work the Battlestar 155
The Battlestar 155 is versatile, but here are the techniques that consistently produced for us:
1. The Classic Jerk-Pause
Cast it out, let it settle, then work it with sharp downward rod twitches — jerk, jerk, pause. The bait darts erratically on the jerk and suspends on the pause. That pause is where most strikes happen. Start with a 2-3 second pause and adjust based on how active the fish are.
2. Steady Retrieve with Occasional Twitches
In calmer water or when fish are actively feeding near the surface, a slow-to-medium steady retrieve with random twitches works great. The tight wobble does the work — don't over-complicate it.
3. Burn and Kill
Reel fast for 3-5 cranks to get the bait moving, then kill the retrieve and let it suspend. This mimics a fleeing baitfish that suddenly stops — a trigger that aggressive fish can't resist.
4. Color Selection
- Yellow Head Blue Sardine — Best in clear water and bright conditions. The natural flash draws strikes from sight-feeding fish.
- Glow White Sardine — Go-to for low light, dawn, dusk, or murky surf. The glow finish stays visible when other baits disappear.
Pro Tips from 6 Months on the Water
- Use fluorocarbon leader. The Battlestar 155 fishes best with a 20-30lb fluoro leader. It's nearly invisible and lets the bait move naturally.
- Don't rush the pause. Most anglers pause too short. Let it sit. Suspending baits are designed to tempt fish that are following but not committing.
- Fish structure. Drop it along rocky points, jetties, and sand/rock transitions. That's where your target species stack up.
- Check your hooks. After a session on rocks or structure, run a hook sharpener over the points. Sharp hooks mean more solid hooksets — we use our Hook Sharpener 4" Diamond Stone after every trip.
The Verdict
Six months in, the Battlestar 155 is one of the most consistent big-water jerkbaits we've fished. It casts far, swims right, and catches fish across a wide range of conditions. If you haven't tied one on yet, it's time.
